Plitvice Lakes: How to Visit Croatia's Waterfall Wonderland

Plitvice Lakes National Park is Croatia's oldest and most famous national park, a UNESCO World Heritage site where mineral-rich water has built natural travertine dams over thousands of years. The result is a staircase of turquoise lakes connected by hundreds of waterfalls.

Arrive before the gates get busy

Plitvice is hugely popular, and the wooden boardwalks are narrow. The single best decision you can make is to arrive at opening (8am in summer) or to enter in the late afternoon. Midday between 10am and 2pm is when tour buses arrive and the walkways back up.

Choose your route

The park publishes lettered routes ranging from a couple of hours to a full day. Route C is a popular all-rounder: it covers both the Lower and Upper Lakes and includes a boat ride across the largest lake and a panoramic shuttle. Pick up a map at the entrance and follow the colour-coded signs.

What to bring

Wear proper walking shoes — the boardwalks can be wet and slippery. Bring water and snacks, as food options inside are limited and pricey. Swimming is not allowed anywhere in the park to protect the fragile travertine.

Stay nearby to beat the rush

Sleeping in one of the small guesthouses just outside the park lets you be first through the gate. From Zagreb or the coast it's a two-to-three-hour drive, so a day trip works but an overnight stay is far more relaxed.